More than 30 take advantage of free rides

Wednesday

Jan 2, 2013 at 7:00 AM

A program offered by the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority kept 31 potentially intoxicated New Year's Eve revelers off the roads early Tuesday.

Jef Rietsma

A program offered by the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority kept 31 potentially intoxicated New Year's Eve revelers off the roads early Tuesday.For the fourth time in five years, the CTA sponsored its Free Ride Home program, where transportation was provided countywide to a person's final destination after celebrating the new year."I've said all along that (Free Ride Home) is a success if we've kept even one person who questioned their ability to drive from getting behind the wheel," said Steve Yorks, executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency. "Thirty-one people is a lot. I'm glad we could be there for them."The program was staged with financial help from the Three Rivers Elks Lodge 1248 and the In-Between restaurant and bar, on U.S. 12 east of White Pigeon.Yorks said the two drivers who agreed to work the odd-hour shift did not indicate any problems. Though buckets were left out for tips to help offset the cost of the service, Yorks said he wasn't made aware of the amount collected from any of the patrons.The service ran 9 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. Tuesday. Understandably, the drivers were tired after the seven-hour service and, as a result, were brief in summary reports they completed after the event, Yorks said."The fact I didn't get a phone call from either driver, though, is a pretty good sign that there weren't any major problems," Yorks said.He said last-minute arrangements were made with the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department to have a reserve deputy ride along. Yorks said it's his understanding only one reserve deputy was available at such late notice and was able to maintain a presence on one of the buses.Yorks said it's critical that Free Ride Home participants feel safe on the bus and the drivers aren't distracted by overzealous passengers.The drivers did indicate that the most rides for the west bus originated from the Three Rivers Elks Lodge, while the east bus provided its most rides from Jorge's bar, on U.S. 12 in Burr Oak Township.Yorks said he looks forward to reviewing the details of Free Ride Home with his board, whose members have been ardent supporters of the service. He said one option he may propose for 2014 is offering a complimentary ride to Free Ride participants to retrieve their vehicles later in the day on New Year's Day."Anything we can do to encourage people to use the service is worth considering. We don't want someone to try driving home only because they don't think they have a way to get their car later on after they've sobered up," Yorks said.Looking to next year, Yorks said he will try to market the event to a greater scale and attempt to solicit more financial help from area businesses.